Huntington man to fulfill marathon promise after heart surgery

May 23, 2012

Peter Bailey pauses before heading out on a 5-mile training run loop in Burlington last week. Bailey will run his first marathon Sunday, 10 years after undergoing triple-bypass surgery. / GLENN RUSSELL, Free Press

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24th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon

The Burlington Free Press counts down to the race by introducing some of the runners in this year’s marathon.

• WHEN: 8 a.m. Sunday.

• WHERE: Waterfront Park, Burlington.

• RUNNERS: 3,135 registered to run the full 26.2 miles.

• ON THE WEB: runvcm.org

• COVERAGE: Look for special coverage in Saturday’s print edition of the Burlington Free Press and online all week at burlingtonfreepress.com

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A lack of physical activity and a high cholesterol count were two reasons Peter Bailey needed triple-bypass heart surgery at age 50.

A decade later, the Huntington resident is preparing to run his first marathon.

Turning to a healthier, exercise-filled lifestyle in the past 10 years, Bailey aims to complete the 24th KeyBank Vermont City Marathon on Sunday, the long-term goal he had promised himself shortly after surgery.

“I had an opportunity to change my ways. I looked at it as a wonderful opportunity,” Bailey said. “It’s just amazing, a new lease on life for years.”

Following surgery, Bailey went through a rehabilitation program in South Burlington and lost about 45 pounds from his 5-foot-6, 212-pound frame. He took baby steps in developing a love of running. First, he walked a few miles. Gradually, that walk turned into a jog. Before long Bailey was out for extended runs every Sunday with his friend and training partner, Clay Warren.

Last year, Bailey ran his first competitive race, taking on the Stowe 8-miler.

“I’m in better shape now in my 60s than I was in my 20s,” Bailey said. “That’s the absolute truth.”

Working a desk job as an engineer for Dodge Engineering Controls, Bailey didn’t make his health a priority. Not participating in a sport didn’t help matters, leading to his surgery. Luckily, Bailey said, there was no heart damage, and he came out of surgery ready to alter his lifestyle.

Sunday, just over 10 years to the day since his operation, Bailey wants to reach the marathon’s finish line, “even if I have to crawl over it,” he said.

“They’ll have to put the lights on by the time I get there,” Bailey said. “I’m not going to stretch myself. I’m just going to focus on my own pace. I’m really looking forward to it.”